The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-12

ors sailing under false coors- plead. there
fore, for loyalty to Christ. and the church we
represent
81 find no fault with. and raise no voice
against the time limit of the Methodist Church
mot that am glad to leave you OF that find
any special pleasure in moving. but because /
believe it to be for the best good of all concerned
and especially for the best good of the church.
A settled ministry has some advantages and
some disadvantages. The same is true of
itinerant ministry. There are those in the set
tied ministry of this city who could not get
retention. Under such circumstances an
itinerant minister could be moved.
but il is o so easy in settled ministry to bring
about change without injury to the church or
pastor have observed with no little interest
that the men who have left our church because
its economy hampered and hndered them, have
not done m 1ch better, and large majority of
them much worse than they did in the church
from which they went. So have little doubt ii
the men who are clamorlng for the renewal or
the time limit could have their way, still many
of them would not be Beechers nor Spurgeons
Many persons look at this matter of changes
from purely secular and selfish standpoint Ii
Is SO unpleasant when you nave formed
friendships to sever them by re-
moval Well, we must look at this
subject from a higher and hoier point of OBJ
ssrvation. 1t is not question OF pleasure, or
profit or friendship, but question of sacrifice
and suffering if need be. for the good OF men
and the glory of God. When | remember what
beloved Methodism have suffered, l dare not
raise my voice in opposition to any work put
upon me in the glorious present.
II am glad on the eve of my departure, to re-
member that our work pastor and people has
been blest of God. The congregation L think
l may safely say, have been trebled. The Sab
bath-school has increased 20 per cent The at
tendance upon prayer-mesting has risen 2OO
per cent, while every interest of the
church has advanced, and l02 members have
been added to the church. In addition to this.
God has opened the way by which we have been
able to erect a new house of worship, SO that in
stead of the old frame building on Third street
have this beautiful structure that has won
the admiration of the entire community. be-
speak Cor my successor that cordial support and
hearty cooperation which you have ever given
to me. and may the God of all grace give unto
you continued prosperity"
Dedication of Tabernacle Chapel.
Yesterday morning the dedicatory services of
the Tabernacle Chapel on East Washing
ton street. were held. It is handsome frame
building. with a seating capacity Of three or four
hundred, neatly and tastefuly furnished. 1t is.
in some sense, the fruit of a work commenced
about twenty years by the Methodists Of Indi-
annapolis. who at that time established mission
Sunday school in a school-house near the site of
the present church After two three years
this turned over to the Y. M. G. A, who
maintained it until about three years ago. when
it passed to the Tabernacle Presbyterian
Church. For quite number of years it has not
been mission in the ordinary use of the term,
out has been sef-supporting ard something
more.
The dedicatine sermon preached by Rev.
j. Albert Rondthaler. from the text Lord, I
have loved the habitation of thy house. and the
place where thine honor dwelleth," Psalm
XVI, g. Opening with view of the salts
faction resulting to those who work earnestly
for good end until it is ccomplished, and con-
graduating those who had labored In this spe-
cal field for their zeal, their steadfastuess and
the happy conclusion of their efforts, the speak
passed to the consideration of sacred edifices
the dwelling places of the Most High and of
the regard in which they should be held. lie
found his ideal in the lines of the Quaker poet:
81 find it well to come
For deeper to this still room;
For here the habit of the soul
Feels less the outer worlds control;
The strength of mutual purpose plead,
More earnestly common needs;
And from the silence multiplied,
BY these still forms either side,
The world that time and sense have known
Falls off and leaves US all alone.
It is not that the infinite is confined. but that
the finite mind can touch him more sensibly IN
one place than another"
After the sermon, the minister announced that
there a debt of ST. 700 on the lot, which the
church expected to take of. but there was
also a debt OF 5000 on the church. which it was
desired to meet at once. The receiving of sub
scriptIons then begun, and carried rapidly
forward To one at all accustomed to church
debt raising the satisfactory nature of the con-
trioutions and the alacrity with which
It was also evident, as the minis
ter remarked that much the greater portion
came from those who earned their money by
daily toll, and in very many instances from peo-
pie to whom the gift meant actual sacrifice. In
all 5000 was raised, furnishing enough to relieve
the Indebtedness on the house and leave hand
some surplus to apply On the lot.